Students go viral on TikTok to criticize University, find comedic relief

A new trend took over the popular video app TikTok last week, and it wasn't a new dance or challenge — it was UNC students commenting on the University’s rolled back reopening.

Throughout the week, funny videos grew into a space for students to cope with stress, voice their frustrations and confide in students with similar situations. 

And millions of people are watching.

Sally Hassan, a sophomore who went viral for her TikTok posts about the University, saw similar posts unpacking and sometimes mocking UNC’s situation. 

“People were saying, ‘Oh, is this the Chapel Hill?,’” Hassan said.

Students used popular songs and sounds to explain what was happening on campus. Others took ominous videos of empty classrooms and COVID-19 warnings. First-years took the dorm reveal trend to another level, recording their setup and their breakdown on the same day.

Despite TikTok typically being an app for humor and fun, some students gained virality simply by reporting on the University’s COVID-19 response and plans.

An inside look at UNC

Hassan chose to call out fellow students, exposing the reality on campus. Her first viral video consisted of a compilation of UNC students breaking guidelines and not social distancing. 

“I just wanted to put out there that it wasn’t really the University’s fault,” Hassan said, emphasizing off-campus parties and Greek life as major culprits.

Junior Zaria Joyner used the platform to inform students of what was even going on on campus. Joyner, minutes after receiving the Chancellor's cancellation email, fled to TikTok to spill the tea.

In her video, she talked about campus closing, cases cropping up around campus and the fact that tuition was due in an hour when students received the email. 

“The algorithm is very powerful,” said Joyner. “I knew that I could reach a lot more people a lot more quickly, rather than other social media.”

Joyner was correct. By the end of the day, her first UNC TikTok had gained over 300,000 views.

Coping with comedy

Sophomore Mackenzie Parker chose humor to cope with stressful times. Parker was concerned and confused about UNC’s return plans. 

She made a viral TikTok, matching the “clown check” sound with UNC dorm plans, which was deemed “highest-risk” by the CDC. Despite the video only lasting 15 seconds, the message was clear to viewers. 

“When I read that, I was so shocked and upset. Are we going to ignore what the CDC is suggesting for us?” Parker said. “I took the opportunity and made a joke out of it.”

Senior Christine Dequito also used humor to call out fellow students, specifically Greek life, for not following community guidelines. 

Finding a community

Regardless of the intent, for Parker, Joyner, Hassan and many other students, TikTok was a platform to voice their emotions.

With virality, several UNC TikTokers witnessed something surprising – the formation of a new community.

TikTok, an app traditionally reserved for humor and fleeting trends, brought something new and more meaningful to the table. In the past week, college students flocked to the app for humor, but also to find answers and connect with other college students across the country.

Dequito was comforted in the feedback her humorous TikTok received. 

“I’m really glad that it’s not just me that feels this way about our campus reopening plans,” Dequito said.

Hassan felt the same wave of reassurance and community. She said stayed up all night having conversations with people who commented on her video.  

“It was the only thing, I felt, that was on our side,” Hassan said.

@notaditya

arts@dailytarheel.com